Conflict prevention and recovery

Working in Banda Aceh
Working closely with UN agencies, the Government and NGOs, UNV focuses on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and on supporting community empowerment and self development. UNV has supported post-tsunami livelihood rehabilitation in Banda Aceh, with a US$ 4.1 million project facilitating access of affected communities to recovery initiatives, primarily through mobilization and organization of communities, and strengthening the outreach capacities of the Government, NGOs and UN agencies.

More than 130 UNV volunteers, international and national, have been placed with Government and UN agencies in Banda Aceh . Three micro-capital grants were given to local NGOs to provide skills-based training in computer/internet usage and English language, in addition to agricultural and soil restoration efforts. TRIBAL, a consortium of four national NGOs, supported the construction of homes, and also provided trauma counseling services and entrepreneurship training.

Poverty reduction

Supporting Papua
UNV is currently supporting the acceleration of progress in MDG achievement in Papua’s poorest provinces through capacity building of local government, civil society organizations and communities in basic services planning, delivery and monitoring. Twenty National UNV volunteer community facilitators have already enhanced community mobilization and ownership, and encouraged volunteer-based activities in local communities.A significant opportunity for the expansion of the UNV programme in Papua and support of the PcDP People centered development programmeproject is the recently developed University Volunteer Scheme Programme,which is due for implementation in late 2008. The programme will promote the incorporation of young volunteers from universities in the economic and social development of Papua, and give them an opportunity to connect with the realities of their region. Through the scheme, fresh graduates will have an opportunity to transfer their skills, capacities and knowledge to the indigenous youth and poor communities in selected areas of Papua, and at the same time learn about indigenous culture.

Greening growth

Environmental responsibilities
UNV is also providing support to a UNDP environmental project intended to promote local economic development and local livelihoods. This will be done by addressing the issues of declined mangrove coverage, conflict of land use, as well as pollution and contamination in the Mahakam Delta in East Kalimantan. National UNV volunteers will work directly with the local communities and other local stakeholders in the context of local capacity development, community empowerment, and participation and mobilization of volunteers for sustainable management of natural resources. They will encourage participatory decision-making processes, including empowerment of the weakest groups of stakeholders to participate in the process, and facilitate continuous dialogue to foster responsibilities in looking after the environment. In partnership with UNOSAT, they will also explore alternative livelihoods for the communities.

HIV/AIDS